Picking lodge in SA for Honeymoon 2027
Hi everyone,
My partner and I are planning our honeymoon for May 2027 and we’re trying to choose a lodge in one of the private reserves around Kruger. We’ve never been on safari before, so this is all pretty new to us.
A bit about us: we’re both around 30, we really value peace and quiet, and we’re looking for something on the more luxurious side. Ideally, we’d prefer a lodge that doesn’t have too many families or young kids around — more of a calm, intimate vibe with great service and high-quality guiding.
Our budget is roughly $1,200 per person per night, and we’re planning to stay for 4 nights.
We’ve been looking at a few options already and have some pricing (for 2 people / 4 nights, including fees and transfers):
- Timbavati:
• Simbavati River Lodge ($7,032, or $5,694 with honeymoon offer)
• Thabamati ($6,015, no offer)
• Amaya ($6,841, no offer)
• Simbavati Hilltop ($11,290, or $9,101 with honeymoon offer)
- Balule:
• Pondoro Chalets ($6,288)
• Pondoro Suites ($9,549, or $7,788 with Stay 4 Pay 3)
- Klaserie:
• Simbavati Waterside ($9,311, or $7,158 with honeymoon offer)
- Ngala:
• &Beyond Ngala ($10,437, or $7,900 with honeymoon offer)
- Sabi Sand:
• Savanna Lodge ($11,220, or ~$8,415 with honeymoon offer)
We’re a bit torn between going for something more high-end in Sabi Sand/Ngala vs. something quieter and better value in Timbavati/Klaserie.
Would love to hear:
- Any personal experiences with these lodges
- Which ones you think best fit a honeymoon vibe
- Whether it’s worth stretching for Sabi Sand/Ngala
- Any other lodges we should consider in a similar price range
Thanks so much in advance!